Story Highlights — Medicaid expansion, state exchanges linked to greater reductions — No state reported a statistically significant increase in uninsured — Nationwide, full-year uninsured rate drops 3.5 points from 2013 to 2014 — This story is part of Gallup's annual …

Obama will quickly veto Keystone bill — President Obama is poised to reject GOP-backed legislation approving the Keystone XL pipeline with a swift veto designed to minimize any distraction from a looming shutdown within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Federal Officials Close Investigation Into Death of Trayvon Martin — The Justice Department announced today that the independent federal investigation found insufficient evidence to pursue federal criminal civil rights charges against George Zimmerman for the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin on Feb. 26, 2012, in Sanford, Florida.

Hugh Hewitt to moderate first GOP presidential debate — Radio talk-show host Hugh Hewitt will moderate the first Republican presidential debate as part of a partnership between Salem Media Group and CNN. The debate will take place Sept. 16 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.

Walker breaks out in national GOP race — PPP's newest national Republican poll finds a clear leader in the race for the first time: Scott Walker is at 25% to 18% for Ben Carson, 17% for Jeb Bush, and 10% for Mike Huckabee. Rounding out the field of contenders are Chris Christie and Ted Cruz at 5% …

The humbling of Rahm — All signs point to a second term for the Chicago mayor. But at what cost? — It ought to be a coronation, Rahm Emanuel must figure. But as he nears what might or might not be the end of his exhausting race for a second term as Chicago's mayor …

UN climate panel head resigns amid sex claims — Tristan McConnell with Mariette Le Roux in Paris — Nairobi (AFP) - The head of the UN's climate science panel, Rajendra Pachauri, stepped down Tuesday in the wake of sexual harassment claims against him that have surfaced at a crucial time on the climate agenda.

IS militants abduct dozens of Christians in Syria — 2 photos — BEIRUT (AP) — Islamic State militants have abducted at least 70 Christians, including women and children, after overrunning a string of villages in northeastern Syria, activists and relatives said Tuesday.